Vehicle spring adjuster



Sept. 11, 1951 c. F. BRUHN 2,567,594

VEHICLE SPRING ADJUSTER Filed Dec. 1, 1947 Fig. 33 32 30 28 34 1' um O/4 H 22 Q40 I 2; ouln- I O 6 25; 3a 36 I8 52 2;; 20

Fig.3.

Inventor Claus E Bra/m WW EM Patented Sept. 11, 1951 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE VEHICLE SPRING ADJUST-ER Claus F. Bruhnfbanvers, Minn.Application December 1, imyser'isi No. 789,633

2 Claims. (01. sci-=) "This invention rel-ates to new andusefulirnprovements in knee action mechanisms'and the primary object ofthe present invention is to provide novel and improved means forrestoring the main spring of a knee action mechanism to its normaloperating condition after the tenslon in the same has been reduced fromuse.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a springadjuster for knee action mechanisms that may be quickly and readilyapplied in an operative position relative to the spring of a knee actionmechanism in a convenient manner.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a springadjuster that is extremely small and compact in structure.

A still further aim of the present invention is to provide an attachmentfor knee action mechanisms that are simple and practical inconstruction, strong and reliable in use, relatively inexpensive tomanufacture, and otherwise well adapted for the purposes for which thesame is intended.

Other objects and advantages reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, wherein likenumerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is fragmentary elevation view of a knee action mechanismapplied to a vehicle wheel, and showing the present inventionoperatively connected thereto, and with parts of the mechanism andpresent spring adjuster broken away and shown in section:

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the present invention per se; and,

Figure 3 is a side elevational View of the present invention and showingthe knee action mechanism applied thereto, and with parts broken awayand shown in section.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein for the purpose ofillustration, there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the numeral ll] represents the knee action mechanism of avehicle generally, comprising a knuckle arm I2 having an integralsupport arm M, a preferably channel shaped suspension cross member l6, abase member I 8 pivoted at one end 2|] to the lower end 22 of thesteering knuckle support arm [4 and at its opposite end 24 to adepending element 26 carried by the cross member [6, a shock absorbermechanism 28 that is pivoted to one end 30 of a knee action upper arm 32pivotally carried as .2 at '33 to the u per enq 34 6f the-suppers am F4.

The base member i8 is provided with amennular seat 36 that frictionallyengages the lower end 38 of a coil spring 40. The upper end 4| of thecoil spring 40 normally frictionally engages the cross member [6.

The present invention does not attempt to claim the above conventionalstructure, but is merely an adjuster for the coil 4|]. The numeral 42represents a sleeve like body that extends into the upper end 4| of thecoil spring 40. This body 42 is provided with an annular flange 44 thatfrictionally engages the upper end 4! of the coil spring 40. The upperface of the annular flange 44 frictionally engages an annular retainingring 46 integrally formed with the cross member. The axial bore 48 ofthe body 42 opposes an opening 50 in the cross member I6 for engaging ausual shock absorber (not shown) which is conventionally employed in usewith such a knee action mechanism.

In practical use of the device, the flanged portion 44 of the body willtend to compress the coil spring 40 thus restoring the same to itsnormally operating condition to prevent the vehicle Wheel 52 from beingout of line.

To further compress the spring 40 one or more washers 54 of suitablematerial may be slidably positioned on the body to extend between theflange 44 and the upper end 42 of the spring 40.

In view of the foregoing description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings it is believed that a clear understanding of thedevice will be quite apparent to those skilled in this art. A moredetailed description is accordingly deemed unnecessary.

It is to be understood, however, that even though there is herein shownand described a preferred embodiment of the invention the same issusceptible to certain changes fully comprehended by the spirit of theinvention as herein described and the scope of the appended claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. For use in a knee action construction including a suspension crossmember, a base member pivotally connected to said cross member, saidbase member having an annular seat, an annular ring rigidly secured tosaid cross member, and a coil spring having its lower end positioned insaid seat, the upper end of said spring bearing against said crossmember and being concentric with said ring; a spring adjuster comprisinga tubular open ended body received in the upper end of said spring, anda flange carried by said body at one end and em braced by said ring forspacing the upper end of said spring relative to the cross member, theupper end of said spring bearing against said flange for compressing thespring between the cross member and the seat, said cross member havingan opening in registry with the opening in said body to receive a shockabsorber.

2. In a knee action construction including a suspension cross member, abase member pivotally connected to said cross member, said base memberhaving an annular seat, an annular ring rigidly secured to said crossmember, and a coil spring having its lower end positioned in said seat,the upper end of said spring bearing against said cross member; a springadjuster compris ing a tubular body open at both ends and having one endreceived in the upper end of said spring, a flange carried by said bodyat one end embraced by said ring for spacing the upper end of saidspring relative to the cross member, a washer embracing said body andbearing against CLAUS F. BRUHN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 775,582 Shea Nov. 22, 19042,070,775 Bell Feb. 16, 1937 2,115,919 Slack May 3, 1938 2,229,354 UtzJan. 21, 1941 2,320,552 Balz June 1, 1943 2,314,505 McIntyre et a] Mar.23, 1943

